065. Advice
I was speechless at the unexpected story, but soon another question popped up in my mind.
「Hmmm? But why is the God of management ― why does this world need to manage and grasp the 'degree of evolution' individually? What is its purpose?」
There is no way they would do such a time-consuming thing for no reason.
But Grieve said,
「In the "current stage", I can't talk anything more than this, the main point is that "level is the measure of evolution," and I want to tell you that you have reached the point where you are about to move on to the "next stage of evolution".」
「Next evolution――?」
「Indeed. In the first place, if you are a fixer, have you ever met someone at work or elsewhere who makes you think, "Is this guy really human?"」
「...... I have.」
The first person that popped into my mind was General Jean.
She looked like a dainty female general, but the way she held her sword and fought demonic beasts ― her ability was not quite the same as a human being.
「To begin with, from the point of view of low-level ordinary people, it is not normal "to be able to fight with a demonic beast on equal terms". In the future―if your level exceeds 30 or 40, you may be considered 'monsters' even though you are also human beings.」
That makes sense, I understand what Grieve is saying, and that possibility is very possible.
「Regardless of the reason or circumstances, you have now reached level 20. This means that the "next evolution is about to begin" from God the Management is "within your reach," and you must be prepared for it and respond to it. All the more so if you wish to continue to live in this world as a "fixer" and a "buster".」
「 ......So? What should I do now?」
I ask the same question as before.
「――It is a difficult question, but from now on, you will have no choice but to refine your own "essence". In the first place, there is a theory that "the body is a container for the 'soul'", and I suspect that your current state is due to an imbalance or a shake in that balance? I guess.」
「Hmmm...」
I see. I certainly feel that way, but I can't do anything about it if I don't know the key "solution". But
「If you have the "determination," there is a way ― albeit a very dangerous one.」
「Are you serious!?」
I couldn't help but press her, but Grieve's face showed deep concern.
「......Guriguri」
When I unintentionally called her by her nickname, Grieve's eyes lit up with strong emotion for a moment.
「――What. The method itself is quite simple. All you have to do is "live" under certain conditions.」
「Certain conditions?」
「Indeed. Perhaps by doing so, you yourself will have to face up to your "essence," but what will you do?」
「I will do it.」
When asked, I immediately answered.
「I can't make any sense out of this anyway, and I can't think of any other way.」
If you continue to run away from the situation, you will surely meet your doom sooner or later, so you must overcome it, even if it is a little dangerous.
「...... All right. I've taken you up on your resolve.」
Guriguri, with a grin on her face, stood up from her seat, bypassed the counter, and stood in front of me with a stern expression on her face.
「Take off everything you're wearing for now.」
◆◆◆◆◆
The sun had already set, and the next morning, Yuuto was still nowhere to be seen.
「Where the hell did he go?」
After finishing his business, Osada looked around the city and asked around, but he didn't find him.
The same was true at Nora's store, at the brothel where Lilyza worked, and at the Felician church to which Barbara and the others belonged.
「Can't find him. I asked Hannah-san about it, but she doesn't know where he went.」
When the people gathered at Nora's store heard the report, they all showed their dismay.
Lilyza, in particular, looked pale, and Barbara and the other healers clearly showed signs of distress.
「I checked and it looks like he hasn't gone out of town.」
「I also checked with acquaintances and contacts, and found out that he checked in at the "Moon Fairy Pavilion" just before, and then went out only an hour or so later.」
「But I couldn't find out where he went after that....」
「D-don't tell me――Is he going to s-suicide?」
When Yuno started to say something like that, Barbara shouted out, "Don't say stupid things!"
「B-But―I'm sure I'm the cause of it. Because I asked everyone to do it that ......」
「That's not true. I think it was probably my fault」
Lilyza says as she gets up from her chair.
「I ......I'm the worst. I forced Yuuto to perform the act with lax thoughts such as, "Because the other party is Yuuto," or "It's only a treatment," ― I didn't think about him at all.」
「I-If you say it like that, then it's my fault too! Yuuto said, "Help me!" but, I ignored him...」
Nora covered her face with her hands and expressed her regrets.
In the midst of all this, Osada was the only one who said, "Now, now, girls. Calm down," he said in his usual voice.
「I certainly don't know where he went, but I don't think he's as weak as everyone thinks he is, you know? I mean, he said something about a 'vacation' and maybe he's visiting a woman or something?」
「......Even though we're the ones making him "gynophobic"?」
When Barbara said this, Osada-kun groaned, "Ugh,"
「Hohou. As expected of that guy's partner, isn't it?」
Hearing the voice of the girl who suddenly appeared on the scene, Lilyza and others shouted, "Who is there!?" but
「Oohhh! It's Grieve, isn't it? Long time no see!」
Said Osada while raising his hand. "It's been a long time, Trehan of the Dogu tribe," to which Grieve replied
「U-umm, ......, are you an acquaintance of Osada-kun's?」
「Also, "Grieve" is― from that Grimoire Bookstore?」
Said Barbara, and Grieve replied, "Hoho? You know me?", she said, sounding impressed.
「Since it's troublesome, so let me introduce myself. My name is "Grieve Grimm". I am one of only a dozen or so "Grimoire Writers" in the world, and I am the owner of the "Grieve Grimoire Bookstore"」
When Grieve said this, Yuno and Menou were surprised, "Eehhh!?", but Lilyza and Nora didn't seem to have the slightest idea.
「By the way, the fact that Grieve came to us at this timing―did Yuuto tell you something?」
When Osada started the conversation, everyone takes a sharp breath and looked at the girl with the big pointy hat.
「Indeed. He being as kind as he is, I thought he was pretty smart―but the reason I came all the way down here is to give you a piece of advice.」
「Advice?」
「Indeed. For this reason, I have custody of Yuuto Orihara. You ought to keep that in mind, I won't be returning him for a while, and I don't know what will happen to him, so please be prepared for that.」
As soon as Grieve said that, Nora shouted out, "Wh-What do you mean by thaaaatttt!?" she shouted loudly. And Lilyza, too.
「Are you bullshiting me?」
and glared at Grieve.
「Kakaka! At this moment, that guy is standing in a very delicate position. He can become a monster or a saint at the slightest provocation. Therefore, I have decided to isolate him from you common folk」
「Common folk―Wow. You've got the guts to tell me that」
Lilyza tries to walk up to Grieve, snapping her fingers.
「Quit it. What can a little girl like you do?」
Grieve said with a thin smile, and Lilyza kicked her in the right leg, saying "No questions asked!", but
「How naive」
*whoosh*......After dodging the kick, Grieve pulled out a broom out of nowhere and dexterously used it to knock Lilyza down.
「Li-Lilyza!?」
Nora shouted, but no one was able to react, perhaps because Grieve's move was so fast and lean.
The same was true for Lilyza, "Why was I knocked down?" She did not seem to understand.
「Mm. That seems to be a human's way of doing things, but ...... that technique is. Are you related to Gagav?」
「Wha!?」
「How pathetic. The user of the technique he has been studying for so long is such a fool.」
「......Y-you. Who on earth are you?」
Lilyza asked in a daze, but Grieve did not respond.
「In any case, Yuuto was kept for a while. Whether he comes back alive is up to him, but―as a gesture of mercy, I'll give you some advice.」
「Wh-What in the heck are you talking about?」
Osada said, and Grieve looked around at the faces of everyone present, and then declared once and for all
「You guys are not strong enough, so do not get involved with Yuuto in the future. You're nothing but a shackle, so forget it once and for all and return to your respective paths.」
Previous Chapter --- TOC --- Next Chapter
Tftc
ReplyDelete